Red Sea Pro vs Hanna vs API for Nitrates

[Scottiemac]

I've been using the TM/FM Marine test (not Comp) through the Mastertronic for around a year. It's always given me ranges from 5-8 ppm. I wrote Red Sea in the title and can't edit it.

Today I ran a check with the Hanna HR checker. It gave me a reading of 55 ppm.

I brought out my old, trusty API tester with unexpired reagents and it's giving me something in the high 10s.

It seems as though the TM/FM test is about in line with the API test, but I've always been under the impression that Hanna checkers are the most accurate. This is worrisome.

I'm running the TM/FM Marine Comp test now and will post that when complete. I don't have the materials to run the test manually.

In people's experience, should I trust the Hanna checker more?

One additional tid-bit of information is that I have to load the C1 on the Hanna checker about six times before it finally jumps to C2. It is supposed to go to C2 in just a few seconds, and if I wait it will eventually get there in about 20 seconds. Yet someone told me that if it doesn't go there right away I should re-do it.

 

[exnisstech]

Which Hanna checker are you using? I use the hi range. Turn an and at C1 add vial of water and press button. At C2 remove vial add reagent and shake for 2 minutes then place back in tester and press and hold the button to start the 7 minute count down.
EDIT : Sometimes mine seems to take longer to show C1 but I just wait.

 

[Dburr1014]

I hated red Sea pro tests.

Never used api for nutrients.

I now own hanna and get consistent results.

 

[Scottiemac]

TM/FM Comp showed as 4.69 ppm

 

[Scottiemac]

Which Hanna checker are you using? I use the hi range. Turn an and at C1 add vial of water and press button. At C2 remove vial add reagent and shake for 2 minutes then place back in tester and press and hold the button to start the 7 minute count down.
EDIT : Sometimes mine seems to take longer to show C1 but I just wait.

Yeah that's the issue. When it says add C1 I add it, press the button, and then it takes a long time to get to say add C2. Eventually it'll just take a few moments and that's when I proceed.

 

[Scottiemac]

I hated red Sea pro tests.

Never used api for nutrients.

I now own hanna and get consistent results.

Yeah see the remark in my original post; I wrote Red Sea but it's actually Fauna Marin. Can't edit the title.

I don't use API for anything unless cycling; not going to waste good tests on a cycle. But I still had it and wanted to compare.

The issue is that API and Fauna Marine seemed very much aligned, while Hanna HR was significantly different.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I don't know which is more accurate in this scenario.

How old is the tank? Nitrite interference may vary kit to kit.

 

[VintageReefer]

Just hit add c1 and wait. It proceeds to the next step when it’s ready

 

[BriDroid]

Just hit add c1 and wait. It proceeds to the next step when it’s ready

Agree. Sometimes mine go right to C.2, other times it takes 10 seconds or so of flashing - - -. Tests seem to be consistent either way though.

 

[Scottiemac]

I don't know which is more accurate in this scenario.

How old is the tank? Nitrite interference may vary kit to kit.

It's about a year old.

 

[Scottiemac]

Just hit add c1 and wait. It proceeds to the next step when it’s ready

Yes, but it doesn't. Sometimes it takes up to 20 seconds. Sometimes I have to start it over. Eventually it'll just take a few seconds and proceed.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Should not be nitrite then. Not sure which is working best.

 

[Scottiemac]

Should not be nitrite then. Not sure which is working best.

Nitrite is at 0.018 according to Fauna Marin. That's the only NO2 test I have.

 

[Miami Reef]

It is supposed to go to C2 in just a few seconds, and if I wait it will eventually get there in about 20 seconds. Yet someone told me that if it doesn't go there right away I should re-do it.

It’s interesting that the checkers do that sometimes, right?

Sometimes it’s instant and sometimes it lags.

When it takes an unusual amount of time to zero the reading, I clear it and try again. I don’t know if it makes a difference in the result, but it makes me feel better lol.

 

[Daz_1978]

I would normally say trust the Hanna, but… That sounds a little odd. Mine usually goes from C1 to C2 in just a few seconds after pressing the button.

Have you tried replacing the battery?
5 vs 55 is a huge discrepancy.

 

[Salty_Northerner]

It’s interesting that the checkers do that sometimes, right?

Sometimes it’s instant and sometimes it lags.

When it takes an unusual amount of time to zero the reading, I clear it and try again. I don’t know if it makes a difference in the result, but it makes me feel better lol.

I believe its zeroing itself out, or just calibrating to the vial. If anybody gets weird numbers grab a Qtip and some 99% Isopropyl Alcohol and lightly swab the light diode and the sensor across from the diode. It only takes a few seconds to dry and is clean as a whistle. A lot of time one wouldn't suspect any contamination but you'd be surprised.

 

[VintageReefer]

Yes, but it doesn't. Sometimes it takes up to 20 seconds. Sometimes I have to start it over. Eventually it'll just take a few seconds and proceed.

Ok and if it takes 20 seconds what value do you get if you continue the test?

 

[Scottiemac]

Ok and if it takes 20 seconds what value do you get if you continue the test?

I don't test when it takes that long but instead redo the C1 until it only takes a moment.

Look, that is a separate issue. Working properly, the Hanna should only take maybe three or four seconds to go from C1 to C2, and that is when I test.

The main issue is that I'm getting dramatically different results between Hanna and Fauna Marin/API.

 

[VintageReefer]

I don't test when it takes that long but instead redo the C1 until it only takes a moment.

Look, that is a separate issue. Working properly, the Hanna should only take maybe three or four seconds to go from C1 to C2, and that is when I test.

The main issue is that I'm getting dramatically different results between Hanna and Fauna Marin/API.

I’m saying try just waiting it out once to see if you get a normal result. What happens?

 

[Miami Reef]

I’m saying try just waiting it out once to see if you get a normal result. What happens?

It’ll probably read fine, but who wants to take that chance? The test takes about 9 minutes to complete, and the C1 reading happens right in the beginning. It’s too easy to just clear it and try again.

The Hanna checkers about 9/10 take about a second or two to process the C1 reading. If it takes over 10 seconds, it almost seems like it glitched out.

I can continue the test next time the delay happens and report back. I think it will have the same results, but we’ll never know until we try.